Holiday shopping is overwhelming for many consumers. In fact, 67% of holiday shoppers say they look for curated gift ideas online before making a purchase. Pairing this demand with carousel ads — which allow multiple products to be displayed in a single ad — creates a powerful formula for boosting conversions.
Carousel ads give businesses the ability to showcase a variety of items, categories, or bundles in one place. When paired with holiday gift guides, they help simplify decision-making for busy shoppers.
Benefits of Using Gift Guides in Ads
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Simplifies Choices: Gift guides remove decision fatigue by grouping products into easy categories like “Gifts under $50” or “For Him/Her.”
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Increases Discovery: Shoppers often find products they wouldn’t have considered otherwise, boosting cross-sells.
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Improves Engagement: Curated collections receive 20–30% higher engagement compared to single-product ads.
How Carousel Ads Enhance Holiday Campaigns
Showcase Product Ranges
Highlight different products in one ad unit — from budget-friendly to premium options — giving shoppers multiple choices at a glance.
Highlight Features or Benefits
Each carousel card can focus on a unique feature, benefit, or seasonal promotion, guiding customers through the buying decision step-by-step.
Tell a Story
Carousel ads can be designed to tell a holiday-themed story, from discovering the perfect gift to completing checkout, increasing emotional appeal.
Best Practices for Holiday Gift Guide Carousel Ads
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Use Seasonal Visuals: Incorporate holiday colors, themes, and backgrounds.
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Prioritize Mobile: With over 75% of holiday shopping happening on mobile, ensure ads are optimized for smaller screens.
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Add Clear CTAs: Use calls-to-action like “Shop Now” or “See More Gifts” to drive conversions.
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Leverage Retargeting: Show carousel ads to users who already visited your store or browsed products, increasing the likelihood of conversion by up to 4x.
Measuring Success
Track performance to see which combinations work best:
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CTR (Click-Through Rate): to measure engagement with carousel cards.
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Conversion Rate: to see if curated guides help shoppers complete purchases.
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ROAS (Return on Ad Spend): to evaluate profitability during high ad cost periods.
Final Thoughts
Holiday shoppers want quick, curated solutions, and carousel ads combined with gift guides offer exactly that. By making decisions easier for customers, brands can increase engagement, boost sales, and stand out during one of the most competitive seasons of the year.
